[Let's Play] Sorcery Warrior 3 - The Seven Serpents

[Beroli]

You step into the undergrowth and climb forward into the bushes. A flash of red ahead reassures you that you are moving in the right direction. But the snake seems to be moving a little slower than it could--almost as if it wants you to follow it. It stops at the foot of a tree and coils round the trunk. You watch as it slithers up the trunk into its branches. Its head drops down from the foliage to look for you.

Walk up to the tree, ready for danger?
Stop wasting your time with this snake and head back to the path?

Name: Jason Beckett Mordred
Sex: Male
Skill: 11/11
Stamina: 19/19
Luck: 11/11
Weapon: Sword
Inventory: Large Backpack (need not leave behind an item to take another item), Blimberry Juice (+3 Stamina), silver key, Borrinskin boots, Ragnar's Armband of Swordmastery (+2 Attack Strength when using a sword), backup sword, torch, tinderbox, Lucky Talisman (+1 bonus to all Luck tests), Lucky Talisman (do not deduct a Luck point after Testing Luck), bow and quiver of 3 silver arrows, Serpent Ring, Galehorn, Chakram (Test Skill with -1 penalty at the start of a fight to do 2 damage, once), Yellow Powder, pearl ring, Hewing Axe (-2 Attack Strength weapon, cuts down trees), chainmail (+1 Attack Strength, 1/3 chance to reduce wounds), brass pendulum, small glass vial of gas, Serpent Staff (-2 Skill to each of Seven Serpents), 5 pebbles, leaves with six lobes, sand, stone dust, yellow feathers, 8 Meals
Gold Pieces: 1
Libra's Favor: Not yet used in this adventure
Serpents Killed: Moon, Earth
Deaths: Unable to reach the North Gate of Kharé

[Queen of Swords]

Walk up to the tree.

[JourneymanN00b]

I vote to walk up to the tree, of course.

[Thaluikhain]

Walk up to the tree.

[Beroli]

You approach the tree and stare up into the branches, searching for the snake. You catch a glimpse of red up there, but something is not quite right. The thick red band you have seen could not possibly belong to the small snake you were following. Then it happens...without warning, the upper part of the tree bursts into flame! A flash-fire billows out from the tree. Before you can take evasive action, flames lick at you. You cannot stop yourself crying out as the fire singes your hair and eyebrows. Roll one die. On a 1-4 you take that much singeing damage; on a 5 or 6 your eyes are affected (take 3 damage and lose 1 Skill). The roll is a 2.

But just as suddenly as it began, the fire goes out, leaving a badly charred tree. The burnt foliage allows you to see up into the branches, where the snake is looking down at you. It has grown tenfold in size and two wings are folded on its back. Its sly eyes are watching you as if it were deciding its next trap.

Calling to it in the branches, you hold up the ring. The Serpent coils and hisses at you. 'So!" it says. 'You have found the Serpent Ring. I am bound by that ring to reveal to you a secret which will be useful to you. But after that I will kill you! Very well, Analander, I can tell you this: eat not from the larder of Throg if your journey should cause you to meet her. But you will never reach Throg's larder. I will see to that!'

Climb up into the tree to face it?
Reach into your backpack and pull out one of the following:
Sand?
A tinderbox?
Borrinskin boots?
Leave the area before it burns you again?

Name: Jason Beckett Mordred
Sex: Male
Skill: 11/11
Stamina: 17/19
Luck: 11/11
Weapon: Sword
Inventory: Large Backpack (need not leave behind an item to take another item), Blimberry Juice (+3 Stamina), silver key, Borrinskin boots, Ragnar's Armband of Swordmastery (+2 Attack Strength when using a sword), backup sword, torch, tinderbox, Lucky Talisman (+1 bonus to all Luck tests), Lucky Talisman (do not deduct a Luck point after Testing Luck), bow and quiver of 3 silver arrows, Serpent Ring, Galehorn, Chakram (Test Skill with -1 penalty at the start of a fight to do 2 damage, once), Yellow Powder, pearl ring, Hewing Axe (-2 Attack Strength weapon, cuts down trees), chainmail (+1 Attack Strength, 1/3 chance to reduce wounds), brass pendulum, small glass vial of gas, Serpent Staff (-2 Skill to each of Seven Serpents), 5 pebbles, leaves with six lobes, sand, stone dust, yellow feathers, 8 Meals
Gold Pieces: 1
Libra's Favor: Not yet used in this adventure
Serpents Killed: Moon, Earth
Deaths: Unable to reach the North Gate of Kharé

[JourneymanN00b]

I vote to use sand.

[Queen of Swords]

Pocket sand!

[Thaluikhain]

Makes sense.

[Beroli]

Carefully hiding your sand from the creature, you climb the tree. As it sees you climb, it drops from the branches on to the ground below. Quickly, you scamper down, before the creature can create its fire again. On the ground, you face each other, waiting for a move. In an instant, the Serpent bursts into flames and stretches its wings. Quickly, you throw your sand at it. The creature squeals and screams as the sand covers it. The flames go out. The wings disappear. Before you is the small red snake you were following originally! You draw out your weapon and finish it off:

SNAKE Skill 5 Stamina 6

Jason Beckett Mordred Attack Strength: 21, SNAKE Attack Strength: 8. Luck test succeeds. SNAKE's Stamina is 2
Jason Beckett Mordred Attack Strength: 16, SNAKE Attack Strength: 10. SNAKE is dead.

Getting back to the trail, you follow it until you reach a fork.

Take the left fork?
Take the right fork?

Name: Jason Beckett Mordred
Sex: Male
Skill: 11/11
Stamina: 17/19
Luck: 11/11
Weapon: Sword
Inventory: Large Backpack (need not leave behind an item to take another item), Blimberry Juice (+3 Stamina), silver key, Borrinskin boots, Ragnar's Armband of Swordmastery (+2 Attack Strength when using a sword), backup sword, torch, tinderbox, Lucky Talisman (+1 bonus to all Luck tests), Lucky Talisman (do not deduct a Luck point after Testing Luck), bow and quiver of 3 silver arrows, Serpent Ring, Galehorn, Chakram (Test Skill with -1 penalty at the start of a fight to do 2 damage, once), Yellow Powder, pearl ring, Hewing Axe (-2 Attack Strength weapon, cuts down trees), chainmail (+1 Attack Strength, 1/3 chance to reduce wounds), brass pendulum, small glass vial of gas, Serpent Staff (-2 Skill to each of Seven Serpents), 5 pebbles, leaves with six lobes, stone dust, yellow feathers, 8 Meals
Gold Pieces: 1
Libra's Favor: Not yet used in this adventure
Serpents Killed: Moon, Earth, Fire
Deaths: Unable to reach the North Gate of Kharé

[JourneymanN00b]

I vote to take the right fork. Our hero has gone left enough times that I think this choice is warranted to avoid being called a radical.

[Thaluikhain]

May as well.

[Beroli]

The trail leads onwards to a point where a tall tree has fallen across the way just at the point where another path joins your own. You stop at the tree to rest. You may eat here if you wish (restore 2 Stamina for your first meal of the day if you do). While you are sitting on the trunk, the forest noises keep you alert. Small animals rustle in the undergrowth, birds call; but one sound in particular puts you on your guard. A soft plop, which seems to come from the tree trunk, cannot be matched to anything happening around you.

Investigate the sound?
Continue onward?

Also vote on whether to eat before hearing the sound.

Name: Jason Beckett Mordred
Sex: Male
Skill: 11/11
Stamina: 17/19
Luck: 11/11
Weapon: Sword
Inventory: Large Backpack (need not leave behind an item to take another item), Blimberry Juice (+3 Stamina), silver key, Borrinskin boots, Ragnar's Armband of Swordmastery (+2 Attack Strength when using a sword), backup sword, torch, tinderbox, Lucky Talisman (+1 bonus to all Luck tests), Lucky Talisman (do not deduct a Luck point after Testing Luck), bow and quiver of 3 silver arrows, Serpent Ring, Galehorn, Chakram (Test Skill with -1 penalty at the start of a fight to do 2 damage, once), Yellow Powder, pearl ring, Hewing Axe (-2 Attack Strength weapon, cuts down trees), chainmail (+1 Attack Strength, 1/3 chance to reduce wounds), brass pendulum, small glass vial of gas, Serpent Staff (-2 Skill to each of Seven Serpents), 5 pebbles, leaves with six lobes, stone dust, yellow feathers, 8 Meals
Gold Pieces: 1
Libra's Favor: Not yet used in this adventure
Serpents Killed: Moon, Earth, Fire
Deaths: Unable to reach the North Gate of Kharé

[JourneymanN00b]

I vote to eat and check out the sound.

[Thaluikhain]

Agreed.

[Beroli]

You leave your pack and move along the tree, looking carefully for signs of whatever caused the noise. You see nothing. But a low growling sound comes from the area where you were resting. Still you see nothing. Your pack topples from the tree trunk on to the ground. Something is not quite right here. You are certain your pack was resting in a level position. It almost seems as though something has pushed it off. The low growling turns into a vicious roar. Something launches itself forward and fastens sharp teeth around your arm! You are being attacked by an invisible beast! You quickly pull out your weapon and bring it down heavily on the creature's head. It yelps and releases its grip, freeing your arm. Take 2 damage for this painful injury.

Run away from this place?
Try to learn more about your attacker?

Name: Jason Beckett Mordred
Sex: Male
Skill: 11/11
Stamina: 17/19
Luck: 11/11
Weapon: Sword
Inventory: Large Backpack (need not leave behind an item to take another item), Blimberry Juice (+3 Stamina), silver key, Borrinskin boots, Ragnar's Armband of Swordmastery (+2 Attack Strength when using a sword), backup sword, torch, tinderbox, Lucky Talisman (+1 bonus to all Luck tests), Lucky Talisman (do not deduct a Luck point after Testing Luck), bow and quiver of 3 silver arrows, Serpent Ring, Galehorn, Chakram (Test Skill with -1 penalty at the start of a fight to do 2 damage, once), Yellow Powder, pearl ring, Hewing Axe (-2 Attack Strength weapon, cuts down trees), chainmail (+1 Attack Strength, 1/3 chance to reduce wounds), brass pendulum, small glass vial of gas, Serpent Staff (-2 Skill to each of Seven Serpents), 5 pebbles, leaves with six lobes, stone dust, yellow feathers, 7 Meals
Gold Pieces: 1
Libra's Favor: Not yet used in this adventure
Serpents Killed: Moon, Earth, Fire
Deaths: Unable to reach the North Gate of Kharé

[JourneymanN00b]

I vote to run away from this place, as our character does not have see invisible.

[Thaluikhain]

Makes sense, yeah.

[Beroli]

Leaving the fallen tree behind, you continue through the woods until you reach a fork in the path.

Left?
Right?

Name: Jason Beckett Mordred
Sex: Male
Skill: 11/11
Stamina: 17/19
Luck: 11/11
Weapon: Sword
Inventory: Large Backpack (need not leave behind an item to take another item), Blimberry Juice (+3 Stamina), silver key, Borrinskin boots, Ragnar's Armband of Swordmastery (+2 Attack Strength when using a sword), backup sword, torch, tinderbox, Lucky Talisman (+1 bonus to all Luck tests), Lucky Talisman (do not deduct a Luck point after Testing Luck), bow and quiver of 3 silver arrows, Serpent Ring, Galehorn, Chakram (Test Skill with -1 penalty at the start of a fight to do 2 damage, once), Yellow Powder, pearl ring, Hewing Axe (-2 Attack Strength weapon, cuts down trees), chainmail (+1 Attack Strength, 1/3 chance to reduce wounds), brass pendulum, small glass vial of gas, Serpent Staff (-2 Skill to each of Seven Serpents), 5 pebbles, leaves with six lobes, stone dust, yellow feathers, 7 Meals
Gold Pieces: 1
Libra's Favor: Not yet used in this adventure
Serpents Killed: Moon, Earth, Fire
Deaths: Unable to reach the North Gate of Kharé

[Thaluikhain]

May as well go left.

[JourneymanN00b]

I also vote to go left, as our hero has indulged in fascism enough already.

[Beroli]

The path winds tortuously through the forest. At one stage it skirts a hillock and a sound makes you stop. Some inner sense advises caution as you proceed and creep forward slowly around the hillock. On the far side is a wooden doorway. Sounds from within indicate that someone or something is definitely inside.

Creep up to the door to see what is going on?
Tiptoe past it and continue along the path?

Name: Jason Beckett Mordred
Sex: Male
Skill: 11/11
Stamina: 17/19
Luck: 11/11
Weapon: Sword
Inventory: Large Backpack (need not leave behind an item to take another item), Blimberry Juice (+3 Stamina), silver key, Borrinskin boots, Ragnar's Armband of Swordmastery (+2 Attack Strength when using a sword), backup sword, torch, tinderbox, Lucky Talisman (+1 bonus to all Luck tests), Lucky Talisman (do not deduct a Luck point after Testing Luck), bow and quiver of 3 silver arrows, Serpent Ring, Galehorn, Chakram (Test Skill with -1 penalty at the start of a fight to do 2 damage, once), Yellow Powder, pearl ring, Hewing Axe (-2 Attack Strength weapon, cuts down trees), chainmail (+1 Attack Strength, 1/3 chance to reduce wounds), brass pendulum, small glass vial of gas, Serpent Staff (-2 Skill to each of Seven Serpents), 5 pebbles, leaves with six lobes, stone dust, yellow feathers, 7 Meals
Gold Pieces: 1
Libra's Favor: Not yet used in this adventure
Serpents Killed: Moon, Earth, Fire
Deaths: Unable to reach the North Gate of Kharé

[JourneymanN00b]

I vote to creep up to the door.

[Thaluikhain]

Creep up on random doors.

[Queen of Swords]

Creep up.

[Beroli]

You cannot see anything through the door. You will need to either open the door, or leave.

Open the door?
Leave the area?

Name: Jason Beckett Mordred
Sex: Male
Skill: 11/11
Stamina: 17/19
Luck: 11/11
Weapon: Sword
Inventory: Large Backpack (need not leave behind an item to take another item), Blimberry Juice (+3 Stamina), silver key, Borrinskin boots, Ragnar's Armband of Swordmastery (+2 Attack Strength when using a sword), backup sword, torch, tinderbox, Lucky Talisman (+1 bonus to all Luck tests), Lucky Talisman (do not deduct a Luck point after Testing Luck), bow and quiver of 3 silver arrows, Serpent Ring, Galehorn, Chakram (Test Skill with -1 penalty at the start of a fight to do 2 damage, once), Yellow Powder, pearl ring, Hewing Axe (-2 Attack Strength weapon, cuts down trees), chainmail (+1 Attack Strength, 1/3 chance to reduce wounds), brass pendulum, small glass vial of gas, Serpent Staff (-2 Skill to each of Seven Serpents), 5 pebbles, leaves with six lobes, stone dust, yellow feathers, 7 Meals
Gold Pieces: 1
Libra's Favor: Not yet used in this adventure
Serpents Killed: Moon, Earth, Fire
Deaths: Unable to reach the North Gate of Kharé